Man leaps from US jet onto runway

A man bit another passenger before jumping onto the runway as the aircraft taxied for takeoff at the Florida airport.

indiaUpdated: Jan 25, 2006 09:23 IST

Agence France-Presse None

A man bit another passenger before jumping onto the runway as the aircraft taxied for takeoff at the Florida airport.

A male passenger on a Continental Airlines jet forced open a door and leaped to the runway after struggling with the crew as the aircraft taxied for takeoff at a Fort Lauderdale, Florida airport, police have reported.

The man, identified as Troy Rigby, 28, bit another passenger as people on the jet tried to restrain him on Monday after he began banging on windows and cabin doors, shouting that he had to get off the flight, according to a report by the Broward County sheriff's office.

After the pilot depressurised the cabin, Rigby opened an exit door and jumped to the tarmac below, where police subdued him with electric shock-firing guns and took him into custody.

Rigby is being charged with criminal mischief and trespass, attacking a police office and resisting arrest, police said yesterday.

Police also discovered he faced an outstanding warrant for possession of marijuana.